About Us
225 Members Strong
The Olentangy Orange High School Band performs in a collegiate style and is best described as a show style marching band that incorporates precision drill and dance routines into their performances. During parades, the Orange band not only plays selections from their list of contemporary songs, but also perform a number of drum cadences. Because of their style of performance, the band does not routinely participate in marching band competitions, but rather perform at band festivals, sporting events and parades. In addition to entertaining crowds at Friday night football games, the band has been busy entertaining crowds all around the state this year.
2023-2024 MARCHING PIONEERS
"We have PRIDE, we Build TRADITION, we are ORANGE"
Additional performances include: Orange Township 4th of July Parade and the Circleville Pumpkin Show. Recently, members of the band appeared on stage at Rock on the Range for a special performance with the band Papa Roach and they made a special appearance at the Bowl College Series Semi Final Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia on New Year’s Eve. The Marching Pioneers received Grand Champion trophies in all categories while in Atlanta. This included Grand Champion Parade Performance, Field Show Performance, Jazz Ensemble and Concert Band. First place trophies were also awarded to color guard and percussion. The band has also appeared in the Indianapolis 500 Parade and Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade. In 2024 the band traveled to Dublin, Ireland to participate in the St. Patrick's Day Festival as well as touring and performing at several of Irelands iconic landmarks, including Kilkenny Castle and the Rock of Cashel.
The band member’s level of musicianship is reflected in the band receiving superior ratings at the District and State level I Large Group adjudicated events, their numerous high marks received at OMEA solo and ensemble competitions, and the many band alumni currently performing in collegiate bands around the country.
We have PRIDE, we build TRADITION, we are ORANGE!
Marching Pioneers Staff
Mr. Joshua Boyer
Director of Bands
Mr. Joshua Boyer is serving in his second year at Olentangy Orange High School as the Director of Bands. Mr. Boyer spent nine years at Ohio University as the Assistant Director of Bands, where is primary role was serving as the Assistant Director of the Ohio University Marching 110. In addition to his duties with the Marching 110, he also conducted Symphonic Band and taught courses in Music Education. A native of West Unity, OH, he holds three degrees from Ohio University, including a Bachelor of Music Education, Master of Music Education, and Master of Music Performance in Wind Band Conducting. Mr. Boyer is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Music Education with the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant with the "Marching Mizzou." A five-year member of the Marching 110, he served as the Field Commander during the 2007 season.
Mr. Boyer is an active drill writer and music arranger for high school and collegiate marching bands around the country. He holds memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, Ohio Music Education Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Pi Kappa Lambda, honorary membership in Tau Beta Sigma.
Mr. Craig Dunn
Assistant Director & Percussion Instructor
Mr. Craig Dunn was born and raised in Westerville, Ohio. Craig was a member of the Westerville South High School Marching Band, a Bands of America Finalist. Craig attended The Ohio State University and obtained a Bachelor Degree in Music Education. Craig then went on to get re-certified to teach elementary school after teaching high school at Westerville South for five years. Craig is currently completing his internship for a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from the University Dayton. Mr. Dunn has served as the Assistant Director & Percussion Instructor at Orange since the programs inaugural season in 2008.
Craig has been teaching in Olentangy for ten years and is now at Freedom Trail Elementary teaching second grade. Craig has been teaching percussion in central Ohio since 1993 and has served as the director of percussion at Westerville South, Fairborn, Olentangy Liberty, and Olentangy Orange High Schools. Prior to leading Rhythm X to an Independent open title in 2002, he led Westerville South to five Winter Guard International regional championships, and two bronze medalist finishes departure from International World Championships. Craig developed Rhythm X upon his Westerville South to offer the performing experience to kids from all over the Midwest, Craig has been on the wGI Percussion Advisory Board for many years, also a member of the Drum Corps International adjudication team. Craig is endorsed by Evans, Pearl, Innovative Percussion, and Sabian.
Mr. Zachary Zerkle
Assistant Director
Mr. Zachary Zerkle in his third year as Assistant Director of Bands at Orange High School, and serves as the director of the jazz program at Orange. Mr. Zerkle was raised in Springfield, Ohio where he attended Kenton Ridge High School. He attended The Ohio State University where he marched with TBDBITL, participated in many performing ensembles, and obtained a bachelor's degree in music education. Since college, Zach has worked on the marching band staff at Westerville South and as a substitute music teacher around central Ohio. He has been teaching private lessons since 2014 and has worked in band camps for many other schools in that time.
An avid performer, Zach has had the pleasure of recording with local groups Hello Emerson, The Ark Band, Omni-Tet, Zoo Trippin’, and the Brooklyn Rose Ludlow Future Jazz Orchestra. He also regularly performs with local jazz bands such as Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra and Rick Brunetto’s Big Band. Mr. Zerkle is proud to now be working with this strong program full of Pride and Tradition here at Orange.
Mrs. Christine Wedell
Assistant Director
Mrs. Christine Wedell is the Olentangy Berkshire Middle School band director in addition to working with the Marching Pioneers. She has been teaching music in Olentangy for 17 years. She taught general music and beginning band at Walnut Creek before leading the Berkshire Sentinel Band. Christine focuses on establishing a strong foundation for band students. Christine holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Ashland University and a master’s degree in Instrumental Music Education from Capital University. Her major instrument is the flute. She and her husband Scott have two sons and a beagle. Christine is truly happy and honored to spend her days working and sharing her passion of music with the Marching Pioneers!
Mr. Jared Miller
Color Guard Instructor
Mr. Jared Miller is serving in his second year as the color guard instructor for the Marching Pioneers and is employed at Orange Middle School as an EL teacher. Previously he worked with the Color Guard at Highland High School in Medina and the Firestone Community Learning Center. He was a member of the Kent State University Marching Band as well as The University of Akron Bands. In his spare time Mr. Miller likes to read fantasy fiction and craft. He is extremely proud of the growth and development that the fall color guard has attained as well as the winter guard program.
Mrs. Heather Lantz
Band Administrator
Mrs. Lantz is a graduate of Bethel University with degrees in Communications and Journalism. Prior to serving as the band administrator she was a proud Pioneer parent. Mrs. Lantz serves the staff, students and parents affiliated with the Marching Pioneers. She provides support services to the program through scheduling transportation, coordinating band activities and large events as well as trips. She works closely with our parent volunteers and proud alumni.
Mrs. Monica Asher
Olentangy Orange HS Principal
Ms. Asher completed both her undergraduate and graduate work at Bowling Green State University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Education, Integrated Language Arts, and a Master of Education in the field of Educational Administration. She is currently a doctoral candidate at BGSU and was formerly named as a UCEA Clark Scholar. Prior to arriving at Olentangy Orange High School, she served as the high school principal of Chagrin Falls High School, as an assistant principal at Rocky River and Avon Lake High Schools, and as the Athletic Director and an English teacher at Huron High School. She serves on the Educator Standards Board for the Ohio Department of Education and the Board of Directors for the OASSA as the Women’s Leadership chair.
Mr. Todd R. Meyer
Olentangy Schools Superintendent
Originally from Warren, Ohio, Mr. Todd Meyer attended Bowling Green State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education. He obtained a master’s in secondary administration from the University of Akron and began his career in education teaching marketing/DECA and coaching in Toledo Public and Akron Public Schools.
Prior to becoming the superintendent at Olentangy Schools, Mr. Meyer served as Chief Operations Officer, overseeing Olentangy’s human resource department, the transportation team, and the business and facilities group that includes custodial, maintenance, food service and building management. Mr. Meyer came to Olentangy from Westerville City Schools in 2007 as the principal to open Olentangy Orange High School. While in Westerville, he served as the Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction and opened Westerville Central High School in 2003.
